What You Don't Know About Colorectal Cancer Can Hurt You
Updated March 2003— Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for American men and women. In spite of its prevalence, the details of colorectal cancer remain a mystery to many people.
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Knowing your risk factors can help you protect yourself from this disease.
Most cases of colorectal cancer — cancer of the colon and rectum — develop from polyps (tissue growths) that grow in the colon. You may be at a higher risk for colorectal cancer if you have a previous history of colon polyps or cancer, or a family history of the disease. "Most important is to know your family history," says Herbert Shick, MD, gastroenterologist on staff at Memorial Regional Hospital and Memorial Hospital West. "If you have a parent or sibling with colorectal cancer, your cancer risk more than triples."
Evaluating Risk
In terms of evaluating patient risk, people fall roughly into three categories: those with symptoms of colorectal cancer, those with a family history of the disease, and people with no symptoms and no family history of colorectal cancer.
"If you have symptoms of colorectal cancer, you should have a colon-oscopy. If you have a family history of the disease, you should have one every five years beginning no later than age 50," says Dr. Shick.
Symptoms of colorectal cancer can include a change in bowel habits, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, fatigue and weight loss. Keep in mind that many people with colorectal cancer do not present any symptoms, which is why screening can be critical.
The most common forms of colorectal cancer screening are:
- Colonoscopy — an examination of the entire colon and rectum with a lighted instrument
- Fecal Occult Blood Test — a chemical test for blood in stool
- Sigmoidoscopy — an examination of the lower colon and rectum with a lighted instrument
- Virtual Colonoscopy — a CT scan to evaluate the colon
Talk to your physician about which screening options are appropriate for you and when they should begin. In general, people with neither symptoms nor a family history of colorectal cancer should begin regular screenings — a yearly stool occult blood test and rectal exam — by at least age 50. If a stool occult test comes back positive, you should have a colonoscopy.
"Many people are nervous about undergoing colorectal cancer screening. I talk with my patients and explain not only the procedures, but also the importance and benefit of finding polyps and removing them," says Dr. Shick. "Polyps pose a cancer risk — if we can detect cancer early we can increase the chance for a cure. And, of course, I'm always happy to tell a patient the test was normal."
After the Diagnosis
What if tests do find colorectal cancer? "Generally, surgery will be needed to remove a cancer of the colon or rectum," says Frederick Wittlin, MD, hemotologist/oncologist on the medical staff at Memorial Regional Hosptial, Memorial West and Memorial Hospital Pembroke. "Treatment may also involve pre-operative chemotherapy or radiation, or post-operative combinations of radiation and/or chemotherapy. But don't be put off by the word 'chemo.' You're not necessarily going to get sick and lose your hair. Don't hide your head in the sand out of fear — we can help you. See your doctor. Ask questions. Don't be afraid."
Make it a point to talk to your doctor about your risk factors and how you can help protect yourself from this disease. If you need a referral to a physician, please contact the Memorial Healthcare System Physican Referral Service at (800) 944-DOCS.